High blood pressure is the leading cause of doctor visits aside from the common cold, according to James A. Duke, author of "The Green Pharmacy Guide to Healthy Foods." Blood pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury. Normal blood pressure is 120 mmHg over 80 mmHg. If your readings are consistently 140 mmHg over 90 mmHg or higher, you have high blood pressure. Celery, or Apium graveolens, contains several nutrients which help to lower blood pressure, such as fiber. However, it also creates a few health risks.
Dehydration
The celery plant---stalks, flowers and seeds---has long been used as a diuretic, which means it increases urine production by the kidneys. By speeding up the removal of water from your body, celery helps to lower blood pressure. Unfortunately, this also increases your risk of becoming dehydrated, which is a common side effect of diuretics. Symptoms of dehydration include dry, sticky mouth, thirst, headaches, dizziness or lightheadedness, and low urine output. In extreme cases, dehydration can cause seizures, coma or death. Drinking more fluids, such as water, juice and green tea, can help to prevent dehydration.
Gassiness
Like most vegetables, dietary fiber in celery helps to lower blood pressure and provide other health benefits, such as lowering blood cholesterol levels and stabilizing blood glucose levels. However, fiber, especially the insoluble kind, is a likely reason you may suffer from digestive gas, bloating and flatulence. If you're not used to eating celery, increase it in your diet gradually, not suddenly. Eat celery in small amounts, eat slowly and chew with your mouth closed. You can also ask your doctor about taking a digestive enzyme to prevent discomfort.
Allergies
Allergic reactions are also among the risks of eating celery to lower blood pressure. You're more likely to be allergic to celery if you also have an allergy to birch pollen or mugwort pollen. Symptoms include itching, hives or swelling. In severe cases, an anaphylactic reaction can occur. Cooking celery for a few minutes may help to prevent these symptoms. If not, avoid taking celery for hypertension.
Considerations
If you suffer any persistent side effects from eating celery, even after modifying how you eat it, don't worry; there are other dietary options to manage hypertension. The Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension eating plan stresses eating fruits, vegetables, fish, poultry, nuts and seeds. Also, make sure you drink enough water. Limit your intake of refined carbohydrates, prepackaged foods, sodium and fats, especially saturated fats.
References
- "The Green Pharmacy Guide to Healthy Foods"; James A. Duke, Ph.D., 2008
- MayoClinic.com: Dehydration - Symptoms
- Informall: Celery, Celeriac
- USDA: Your Guide to Lowering Blood Pressure with DASH
- Cleveland Clinic: Gas
